Map of Germany showing where the Rubel arms are recorded
The Rubel arms were recorded in Westphalia, c. 1576.
Westphalia was a land of small estates and fortified farmhouses in western Germany. Its families were numerous and not especially rich, but each held its own ground, and holding ground was what brought arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Germany in this period.
Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor
1564–1576
Reigning in Germany when the Rubel arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Westphalia.
Origin & History of the Rubel Family in Germany
The family name Rubel has deep roots in the Westphalia region of Germany, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1576. During this period, the name was likely linked to the local landscape or the specific trade of its earliest bearers. In the sixteenth century, many families in Westphalia took names based on their proximity to natural landmarks or their roles in the rural economy. Because the region was a center for agriculture and trade, the Rubel family likely integrated into the social fabric of their local parish through farming or craftsmanship. Over time, the family name became a permanent marker of their identity as they moved through the changing political and religious landscapes of the Holy Roman Empire. This early presence in Westphalia established the foundation for the family to grow and eventually spread across the region and beyond.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Rube
A diminutive form of the Germanic name Rupert meaning bright fame.
This name
RubelA habitational name for someone from a place called Rubel or a variant of Rupert.
also spelled
Ruebel de Rieberach
Rubell de Rieberach
Rubel de Reebarak
Rubel
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bahl, Peter. Der Hof des Großen Kurfürsten: Studien zur höheren Amtsträgerschaft Brandenburg-Preußens. 2001
Bahlow, Hans. Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt. 1967
Westfälisches Archivamt. Kirchenbücher der evangelischen Kirchengemeinden in Westfalen. 1576
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
sickleThe harvest, and the reaping of what was sown
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
sickleThe harvest, and the reaping of what was sown
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
